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European officials say they hope to resume half the flights grounded by a volcanic ash cloud over the continent amid increasing pressure from airlines to lift air travel restrictions. With EU transport ministers set to hold emergency talks by video conference on Monday, Siim Kallas, the EU transport commissioner, said he hoped 50 per cent of European airspace would be risk-free on Monday, adding that “we cannot wait until the ash flows just disappear”. Diego Lopez Garrido, the Spanish secretary of state for European affairs, said “forecasts are that half of the flights planned [in Europe] could take place tomorrow [Monday]”. But he cautioned that “it will be difficult”, telling reporters after a meeting at Eurocontrol “that's why we have to co-ordinate”. added by: BRAVATRAVELS